Dispensing closure



Jan. 22, 1946. A. i UMB-ACH 2,393,256}

DISPENSING CLOSURE Filed Nov. 3, 1944 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1946 ."UN'lTED STATES PATENT QF DISPENSING CLOSURE Alex Limbach, Carmel; N.- Y.

Application November 3, 194i4,.Serial No. 551.688

ZCIa m This invention relates to an improved-one-hand operated dispensing closure for a container -of material which it is desired to dispense in dispersed condition.

object of this invention is a simple and inexpensive .dispenser composed of --a -few parts easy to manufacture and which may be inserted in the neck of a container in the manner of --a stopper.

One embodiment of this invention comprises a .centrally-apertured stopper of suitable configuration to fit into a bottle neck or the like and having .-a circular flange at one end. The flange has a concave face except for a narrow rim and a flexible strip overlies the flange, the strip being of less :width than the diameter of the concave portionrand :beingof proper. length and end configuration to conform to .said flange. A bulb having an annular ring overlies the flexible strip and an annular band encloses and clamps together the aforementioned members. The band is provided at its inner face with a recess having an aperture leading therefrom through the band to the exterior thereof. A spiral groove in the bulb rim provides communication between the recess and the interior of the bulb above said flexible strip.

Upon compression of the bulb, the flexible member is forced into engagement with the concave surface of the stopper flange to close the aperture against downward flow and the contents of the bulb are discharged through the spiral groove into the recess and from thence through the aperture to atmosphere. Upon expansion of the bulb, the flexible member returns to its original position and liquid is drawn into the bulb through the clearance provided by the straight sides of the flexible strip.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a container equipped with a dispenser embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section through the dispenser on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 3-3 011 Fig. 2

looking in the direction opposite to the arrows, and

tion.

A stopper of rubber or other suitable material is of generally conical configuration and has Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modificaan annular flange ski. in the stopper "there is provided a central bore 12 leading between the bottom and top faces of the stopper, the latter of which is slightly concave except for .a narrow rim portion 13. A tube -.I:Za .of glass or -.o,ther suitable material has one end seated in the lpqre -I2-and the other end-extending nearly to the bottom of the container. A strip Id .of flexible material overlies the :upper .end of the stopper H1 and is of less width than the diameter of the concave portion of the upper faceeof the stopper. The stri M is of proper length and end configuration to conform to the periphery of the-'ilange H.

A substantially sem-iespherical bulb 1:5 .of rubber or other suitable :materialhas aflange. I 6 over..- lying the strip Ji l. .A band 111 of metal has inwardly directed flanges i8 and disengaging the upper surface of the flange .lafi andthe :lowersurface of thefiange .H toclamp the bulb tothe stopper with the flexible strip 1.4 interposed :between them. The band II, has an offset portion 20 forming a recess 2| in the inner surface of the band and an aperture 22 leads from the recess to the exterior of the band. A spiral groove 23 is provided in the flange Hi to establish communication between the interior of the bulb I5 and the recess 2|.

A groove 24 is provided in the conical surface of the stopper I0 and leads from the bottom end thereof up to and partially along the under surfaces of the flange I l. The stopper H) is inserted in the neck 25 of a suitable container with the upper end of the groove 24 exposed to provide communication between atmosphere and the interior of the container.

Upon compression of the bulb IS, the flexible member I l is forced into engagement with the concave top surface of the stopper [to close the passageway [2 against downward flow and the contents of the bulb are discharged through the groove 23 into the recess 2| and from thence through the aperture to atmosphere. Upon expansion of the bulb 15, the flexible member It returns to its original position and liquid is drawn into the bulb by way of the clearance between the sides of the strip l4 and the bulb I5. Due to the fact that the groove "23 is spiral, the stream of liquid and air from the bulb I5 is introduced into the recess 22 in such manner that it is caused to circle around the recess periphery before escaping through the aperture 22, thereby insuring thorough mixture of the air and liquid in dispersed condition.

In Fig. 5, 30 designates the threaded neck of 3| and is of less width than the diameter of the concave portion of the upper face of the disk. The stripis of {proper length and endconflguration to conform to the periphery of the flange 'l I.

A semi-spherical bulb 35 of rubber or other suitable material has a flange 3B overlying the strip 34. A band 31 of metal has an inwardly directed flange 38 engaging the upper surfaceof the bulb flange 36 and is provided with a threaded portion 380, screwed onto the bottle neck 30 to clamp in assembled relation the bottle, the disk 3|, the flexible member 34 and the bulb 35. A tube 39 of glass or other suitable material has its upper end fitting into the bore 32 and its lower end extending nearly to the bottom of the container The band 31 has an offset portion 40 forming a recess 4| in the inner surface of the band and an aperture 42 leads from the recessto the exterior of the band. A spiral groove 43 is pro- 36 to establish vided in the face of the flange bulb communication between the interior of the 35 and the recess 4|.

Operation of the modification illustrated in Fig. 5 is the same as that of. the modification illustrated in the remaining figures and. will not be repeated in detail. Alternate compression and expansion of the bulb 35 serves to dispense a mixture of air and liquid through the'aperture 42 in dispersed condition. Atmospheric pressure is maintained within the container by leakage along the threaded connection between the band 31 and the container neck 30 and for this purpose the band may be unscrewed slightly.

I claim? 1. A dispensing device comprising a centrally apertured stopper adapted to fit into a bottle neck or the like and having a circular flange at one end, said stopper having a concave face at its flange end, a flexible strip overlying said flange, said strip being of less width than the diameter of the concave portion and being of proper length and end configuration to conform to .said flange, a bulb having an annular rim overlying said "flexible strip, an annular band enclosing and clamping'together the aforementioned members, a recess in said band with an aperture leading therefrom through the band to the exterior thereof, and a spiral groove in the bulb rim having one end communicating with said recess and the other end communicating withthe interior of said bulb above said flexible strip. v

i 2. A dispensing device comprising a centrally apertured circular member adapted to engage the end of a bottle neck or the like and having a concave face, a flexible strip overlying said member, said strip being of less width than the diameter of the concave portion and of proper length and end configuration to conform to the periph cry of said member, a bulb having an annular rim overlying said flexible strip, an annular band enclosing the aforementioned member and having an inwardly directed portion overlying the bulb rim, said band also having a threaded connection with said container neck to clamp the circular member against the end of the bottle neck, a recess in said band with an aperture leading from the band to the exterior thereof,

' and a spiral groove in the bulb rim having one end communicating with said recess and the other end communicating with the interior of said bulb above said flexible strip.

ALEX LIMBACH. 

